My gardening diary
MONDAY Some of the banks on the east side of the garden have become a bit bare so we’re filling up the spaces with ivy seedlings and little runners of a variegated vinca, which already covers part of the bank higher up. Before we do, we’re transplanting snowdrops that will hopefully come up among the evergreen ground cover.
TUESDAY Looking through a seed catalogue the other day, my attention was drawn to an annual that I haven’t grown for years, though as Glebe Cottage Plants we used to include it regularly in our Chelsea Flower Show displays.
Omphalodes linifolia is a dainty navelwort with glaucous leaves and clouds of tiny, white flowers. It would be lovely to welcome it back into the garden.
WEDNESDAY The ground under the beech trees is littered with twigs blown out of the overhanging branches. Most of them are dead, only occasionally does the wind snap off healthy branches, but it’s a reminder to think carefully about cutting back some of the overweight branches deliberately before the wind does it for us.
THURSDAY Working on one chunk of the garden at a time, weeding thoroughly, moving plants around and putting in new subjects, including a few bulbs. It’s a slow business but very satisfying and gives you a chance to reassess the possibilities in each area.
FRIDAY We’re donning our tallest wellies and sorting out the pond. Water mint, Mentha aquatica, seems to be covering at least half the surface. It’s used to treat depression and age-related illnesses in South Africa, so I’m hoping to feel much happier and healthier when it has been dealt with!
SATURDAY Trimming back trees and shrubs in our native hedge. We did a lot a month ago, but the weather has been so mild that cornus, Acer campestre and viburnums decided to take advantage and put on new growth.
SUNDAY Tulipa clusiana, the lady tulip, is a favourite here. We’ve grown the straight species, a selection called ‘Peppermintstick’ and one called ‘Cynthia’, whose petals are soft yellow inside. This year we’re trying out one called ‘Honky Tonk’. Typically, it’s small and dainty with fine foliage but its flowers are creamy-white, which makes it easy to find it a happy home where it’ll fit in with any colour scheme.
Carol Klein